THE BATS of Commonwealth Park

One would be amazed that a only a short stroll from Parliament House, you would find yourself in the heart of a massive bat community.

However, if you're a nomadic flying fox, the Eucalyptus trees of Commonwealth Park are the perfect locale for a summer holiday. But its not all summer fun, for at dusk each day, these bats awaken from their slumbers and take to the sky in the thousands in an epic search for dinner. They're off on a nocturnal journey that will see them fly long distances in search of the Eucalyptus blossoms, nectar and fruit that make up their diet. Forest champions that they are, new forests will spring up from the seeds they disperse upon their return trip home.

SEE Change Gungahlin and ACT Wildlife invite you to visit the bat camp

We are fortunate to have to have Peggy Eby, wildlife ecologist and science communicator to guide us through the social life of the Flying Fox colony.

The timing is great as the maternity tree is a haven of activity as Mums and squabbling juveniles interact. We’ll discover the reason the bats return to the park annually and the part urban camps like Commonwealth Park play in the Bat's long-time survival. Peggy will describe their life history, their travel patterns, and their essential role as pollinators.

She’ll discuss the challenges they face as climate change and deforestation threaten their survival.

ACT Wildlife Flying Fox co-coordinator Stephen Bartos will give us tips on how ensure their survival and tell us about the essential conservation work ACT Wildlife is doing.

Where : Commonwealth Park Rhododendron Garden

(meet at the entrance to the walkway to National Capital building Regatta Point )

Time: 9:45am -12 noon

When: 13 April